Fort Bragg Food Bank looking for quite a few good birds

The weather has been summery and everyone was relaxed at the Fort Bragg Food Bank on visits there this week, but there were signs this won't last. In just seven days, the Food Bank needs to put more than 10,000 pounds of turkey on the plates of local people in need. The biggest shopping day of the year at the Fort Bragg Food Bank has traditionally been the day before Thanksgiving, not the day after. The community's pantry is in need of donations so volunteers can carry out this Herculean task.

"It's a long and tiring day for everybody, but it's busy and fun too," said volunteer Lupe Arreguin. "My hands get sore and cold every year."

For the past five years, I have done first person accounts for this newspaper of what I saw, ate and experienced at the Food Bank. People and cars make old, industrial South Franklin into a party. There are many laughs and lots and lots of work. It's the biggest gathering for clients, volunteers and employees of the year. And the wait in line is worth it.

Each person starts off with a bag of canned foods, including stuffing, gravy, green beans or peas, yams, corn and cranberry sauce. Add cranberry juice, loaves of bread, big sweet potatoes, a head of celery, a bag of apples, a big bag of potatoes and then, a huge turkey. The intent is to have everyone in Fort Bragg who wants a first-class Thanksgiving dinner to have one.

"The holiday dinner represents so much more than a meal. First of all, we provide a turkey big enough for a family. This is wonderful in itself, as the Food Bank is often short on high-protein foods like meat and dairy," said Nancy Severy, executive director of the Food Bank.

"A holiday meal is also a way to gather loved ones around to share conversation and strengthen family ties. And, in the bigger picture, sharing in a traditional holiday feast, especially one provided through local generosity, helps create a feeling of belonging to our community. A big thank you to everyone who is a part of this circle of giving and receiving," she said.

For all this to happen, people need to give.

Local businesses are putting up matching funds to provide Holiday Turkeys for Food Bank Families. They will match "dollar for dollar" and "turkey for turkey" each donation of $200 or 20 turkeys or more.

"Our biggest need now is turkeys. We also need other ingredients for a holiday meal including poultry stuffing, canned pumpkin or other pie filling, cranberry sauce, gravy (canned or mix), chicken broth or bullion, evaporated milk. We will also be providing fresh potatoes, celery, apples oranges and other produce purchased with cash donations," Severy said.

The two big local grocers each have a plan to help with Thanksgiving. At Harvest Market shoppers can pay for a turkey at the checkout stand and Harvest employees will see that it gets delivered to the Food Bank. At Safeway on Saturday, Nov. 17, the Food Bank will have a refrigerated truck in the parking lot ready to receive your donated turkeys. Some people elect to pick up an extra turkey wherever they shop and drop it off at the Food Bank.

The job of gathering so many turkeys is very large ever year.

"Last year we provided 700 families with turkeys and the fixins for a Thanksgiving dinner and served 650 more for Christmas. We expect to serve approximately the same number of people this year. Every year, due to the kindness and generosity of our community, we have been able to serve all who came to our doors in need, turning no one away," said Severi.

Over the next two months, come along with the Advocate-News as we taste the food served, investigate the issue of local poverty and look into nutrition issues that impact seniors, kids and even pets.

The Thanksgiving food distribution will take place on Nov. 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 20, seniors only (60+) will be served from 9 a.m. to noon. Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday they will serve people of all ages (including seniors who may not have made it the Food Bank on Tuesday morning). Recipients should already be Food Bank clients, or, if they are eligible, they may sign up to be a client at that time. They encourage people to bring their own grocery bags as they are starting to run short.

Donation checks can be made out to "The Fort Bragg Food Bank" and mailed to the Food Bank at P.O. Box 70, Fort Bragg. Be sure to write "Turkey Challenge" on your check so your donation will be matched. Turkeys and other donations may be dropped off at the Food Bank warehouse at 910 N. Franklin St.

Season of Sharing

This series goes hand in glove with the Advocate-News' and The Mendocino Beacon's annual Season of Sharing fund drive for the Food Bank. The goal is to give the Food Bank money it can use year-round, not just during the holidays.

The nonprofit Community Foundation of Mendocino County administers the Season of Sharing free of charge as a courtesy to the newspapers. Every cent taken in by the newspapers goes to the Food Bank.

Checks should be addressed to the Community Foundation of Mendocino County (CFMC), and mailed to newspaper at P.O. Box 1188, Fort Bragg, 95437, or dropped off at 450 N. Franklin St.

If you have any questions, call us at 964-5642. The fundraiser runs through Dec. 31.

Donors' names are printed each week, unless you ask to remain anonymous.